igus zeigt Produktneuheiten rund um kostengünstige Roboter- und Automatisierungslösungen beim Anwender vor Ort
Köln, 7. September 2020 – Produktlösungen für eine kostengünstige Automatisierung kennenlernen und anfassen trotz Abstands- und Hygieneregeln? Zu diesem Zweck schickt igus jetzt eine Low Cost Automation Roadshow durch Deutschland und besucht Anwender mit robolink Gelenkarm-, Delta- und Portalrobotern. Außerdem stellt igus mit der igus robot control eine neue Simulations- und Steuerungssoftware zur einfachen und intuitiven Auslegung und Programmierung aller igus Roboterkinematiken vor.
Messen fallen aus und Kundenbesuche in den Büroräumen sind, wenn überhaupt, nur unter strengen Auflagen möglich: Wie also die Produkte und Neuheiten direkt zum Kunden bringen? Diese Frage hat sich igus gestellt und daher jetzt seine Neuheiten und Lösungen rund um die Low Cost Automation in einen Transporter gepackt. „Mit der Low Cost Automation Roadshow können wir uns direkt auf den Parkplatz oder Innenhof des Kunden stellen. Alle Interessenten haben hier die Möglichkeit, sich unsere Lösungen in aller Ruhe anzuschauen. Natürlich mit Maske und/oder Sicherheitsabstand, Desinfektionsmittel und unter freiem Himmel,“ so Jacob Geber, Low Cost Automation Experte bei der igus GmbH. Für den Schutz bei hochsommerlichen Temperaturen hat igus außerdem einen Pavillon mit dabei. Mit der Roadshow können zwei igus Experten allen Interessenten Produkte für eine kostengünstige Automatisierung vorstellen: vom Delta-Roboter über den Portalroboter bis hin zum robolink-Gelenkarm. Außerdem präsentieren die Firmenvertreter den Besuchern die neue kostenlose igus robot control Software, mit der sich alle igus Kinematiken vor einem Kauf simulieren und später auch programmieren lassen. Natürlich dürfen aber auch die igus Energieketten, Leitungen, Gleitlager und Linearführungen nicht fehlen. „Je nach Kundenbesuch passen wir unser Sortiment an, ähnlich wie bei unserer mobilen Hausmesse, mit der wir jedes Jahr bei Anwendern weltweit unsere Neuheiten vorstellen. Mit der Low Cost Automation Roadshow richten wir unseren Fokus auf die direkte Umsetzung einer Anwendung beim Kunden vor Ort, die einen schnellen Return on Invest bringt“, so Geber. Mit dem flexiblen Messekonzept ist der Stand in 30 Minuten auf- und wieder abgebaut. „Das Konzept ist klasse! Unsere Mitarbeiter aus der Forschung und Entwicklung können sich hier in Ruhe und nacheinander informieren und das trotz der besonderen Situation mit einem persönlichen Kontakt“, so Dr. Stefan Sommer von der Günther Heisskanaltechnik.
Preisverleihung auf der Roadshow
Auch für besondere Events wie eine Preisverleihung bietet sich die Low Cost Automation Roadshow an. Die Firma Günther Heisskanaltechnik, die Heisskanäle zum Beispiel für Spritzgussmaschinen herstellt, nahm bei einem Gewinnspiel während der igus Keynote „Konstruieren, simulieren, kontrollieren… das alles aus dem Home Office“ auf den Hannover Messe Digital Days teil und gewann einen Delta-Roboter inklusive Steuerung. Übergeben wurde der Roboter von Jacob Geber und Julian Ruwe an Dr. Stefan Sommer und Lucas Schulze „Wir freuen uns sehr, den Delta Roboter bei uns zu Testzwecken einsetzen zu können“, freut sich Dr. Sommer über den Gewinn. „Unsere dualen Studenten haben so die Möglichkeit, sich in der Entwicklungsphase mit dem Thema Automatisierung direkt auseinanderzusetzen.“
Im Video können Sie sich ein paar Eindrücke von der Low Cost Automation Roadshow machen: https://youtu.be/wJ-idPt-sms
On August 24, Petoi Bittle launches on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter. Starting from $195 for the early bird special, Bittle is the first affordable robot dog for coding and fun.
Petoi hopes to raise $50,000 to bring the agile quadruped robots to makers and STEM communities. The fund was fulfilled in one day and was doubled in three days. It reaches $128,000 on the fourth day.
Petoi Bittle is a tiny but powerful robot that can play tricks like real animals. It is compact, agile, accessible, and seamlessly designed. We fine-tuned every bit to fit agile maneuverabilities into a palm-sized robot pet. You can bring Bittle to life by assembling its puzzle-like frames, running our demo codes, and injecting new skills with your own codes. Bittle makes a perfect tool for learning, teaching, and researching, or a surprising gift to impress your family and friends.
Rz Li, the founder of Petoi, explains: „Building on the success of our first robot cat project Petoi Nybble on Indiegogo in 2018 and feedback from our worldwide user community, we’ve designed Bittle to be more durable, agile and extensible. Bittle moves with four legs rather than wheels. Legged motion gives it more freedom to navigate unstructured terrains, and expresses the joy of life whenever it moves. Such dynamic maneuverability and behaviors were only seen on a few luxury robots from the best labs or tycoon companies previously. „
Evolving with an open-source gene, Bittle is an open platform to fuse multiple makers‘ gadgets into one organic system. With our customized Arduino board coordinating all instinctive and sophisticated movements, you are free to clip on various sensors to bring in perception and inject artificial intelligence capabilities. You could also mount a Raspberry Pi or other AI chips through wired/wireless connections for higher-level functionalities.
Bittle is a compact system of five major components: body frame, actuator, electronics, battery, and the software to coordinate all the hardware to perform varied tasks. More details are covered on their Kickstarter page.
Deliverables: Plastic body parts 10× P1S Servo Rechargeable 7.4V Li-ion battery pack NyBoard V1 Bluetooth and WiFi dongle Various sensors that can be held by the mouth of the robot dog Open-source software: the OpenCat program
The kit starts at $195 for the Early Bird adopters. For more information, please visit Petoi’s website.
About Petoi LLC OpenCat started as the founder Rz Li’s pet project in 2016. After the demo video went viral in 2018, he devoted all his time and resources to bring this sophisticated and cute robot to the public. He founded Petoi and successfully crowdfunded the Nybble project in 2018. All the earnings have been put into the fulfillment of Nybble and the R&D of Bittle. Our mission is to bring affordable robotic pets from fiction to reality. We grew from a single maker to a company that can collaborate and negotiate with manufacturers to get the best solutions to our needs. We have many more cool ideas in mind, and Bittle is another small step towards our ideal shape of household robots.
Online-Seminar vermittelt in 30 Minuten Wissen zu 3D-gedruckten Tribo-Zahnrädern und der Nutzung hilfreicher Web-Tools
Köln, 31. August 2020 – Zahnräder aus Tribo-Kunststoffen bieten zahlreiche Vorteile: Im Gegensatz zu Metall-Zahnrädern sind sie leicht, leise, selbstschmierend und wartungsarm. Doch welche Lasten hält ein Kunststoff-Zahnrad überhaupt aus und wie lange? Die Antworten darauf gibt Tom Krause, Leiter Additive Fertigung bei igus. Der Experte zeigt in einem 30-minütigen Online-Seminar wie die Lebensdauer von Kunststoff-Zahnrädern berechnet und schon bei der Auslegung und Konstruktion optimiert werden kann.
Längst werden Kunststoff-Zahnräder nicht mehr nur in Nischen wie dem Modellbau eingesetzt. Durch ihre additive Fertigung ergeben sich inzwischen Möglichkeiten, die bisher mechanisch nicht umsetzbar waren. „Das gilt beispielsweise für die Optimierung der Zahnradgeometrie“, stellt Tom Krause, Leiter Additive Fertigung bei der igus GmbH, heraus. „Da es sich um eine vergleichsweise neue Möglichkeit handelt, Zahnräder zu konstruieren, vermitteln wir jetzt in einem Online-Seminar, wie man diese Potenziale effektiv nutzen kann.“ Der Workshop dauert 30 Minuten und findet am 16. September 2020 um 10 Uhr statt. Die Teilnehmer sind anschließend in der Lage, die Lebensdauer von verschleißarmen und schmierfreien Tribo-Kunststoff-Zahnrädern in ihren jeweiligen bewegten Anwendungen und Umgebungen einfach zu bestimmen. Und das, ohne die deutlich umständlichere Tragfähigkeitsberechnung durchführen zu müssen. Sie lernen Zahnmodul und Zahnbreite mit dem von igus bereitgestellten kostenlosen Online-Tool vorzunehmen und zu optimieren. Auf diese Weise können Versuchs- und Testzeiten auf dem Weg zur Serienanwendung erheblich reduziert werden. Neben einer theoretischen Einführung fokussiert sich der Workshop auf die praktische Tool-Nutzung. So können die Teilnehmer diese mit Blick auf ihren Anwendungsfall direkt ausprobieren und sofort Fragen an den Experten stellen.
Einfach und schnell zum 3D-gedruckten Zahnrad
Die von igus bereitgestellten Online-Tools wie der iglidur Designer und der Zahnrad Lebensdauerrechner sind kostenlos und ohne Anmeldung auf der igus Webseite frei zugänglich. Die Datenbasis stammt direkt aus dem hauseigenen 3.800 Quadratmeter großen igus Testlabor, in dem Zahnräder aus verschleißfesten iglidur Kunststoffen, im Vergleich zu anderen Werkstoffen, umfangreich getestet werden. So stellte sich dort in Testreihen heraus, dass aus iglidur gedruckte Zahnräder rund 80 Prozent verschleißfester sind als herkömmliche Kunststoffe. Mit mehr als 120.000 gedruckten Teilen im vergangenen Jahr und acht SLS-Druckern verteilt auf Europa, Asien und Amerika, gehört die additive Fertigung heute mit 11 eigenen verschleißfesten iglidur Werkstoffen fest zu den etablierten Produktionsverfahren des Unternehmens. Die 3D-gedruckten Zahnräder sind in nur drei Tagen versandfertig.
Zahnräder zu konstruieren ist aufgrund der komplexen Evolventenverzahnung ohne Hilfsmittel oftmals schwierig. Doch nicht nur die Konstruktion, auch die Auswahl des richtigen Materials und des geeigneten Fertigungsverfahrens sind entscheidende Kriterien für ein langlebiges Zahnrad. In einem Live-Webinar am 31. Januar 2019 widmet sich igus genau diesen Themen und stellt den Zahnradkonfigurator, die iglidur Hochleistungskunststoffe für das SLS-Verfahren sowie den igus 3D-Druckservice vor.
Böblingen – 27. August 2020 – Espresso, Cappuccino oder Milchkaffee, mit Kakao, Karamell oder Kokosnuss verfeinert – diese und andere heiße Kaffeespezialitäten können sich Besucher der Mercaden Böblingen ab Samstag, 15. August von einem Roboter frisch zubereiten lassen. Die im März 2019 gegründete Firma MyAppCafé eröffnet in den Mercaden Böblingen bereits ihre zweite Roboter-Kaffeebar. MyAppCafé wird als Franchise-System betrieben. Friedrich Kunc, Inhaber des Roboter-Barista in den Mercaden Böblingen, ist der erste Franchisenehmer von MyAppCafé.
Herzstück der innovativen Kaffeebar im Erdgeschoss ist ein vollautomatischer Barista-Roboter. Auf nur sieben Quadratmetern Standfläche kann er zwischen 80 und 120 Kaffee- und Kakaogetränke pro Stunde ausgeben. Zum Einsatz kommen nur Bio-Fairtrade-Kaffee, Bioprodukte und biologisch abbaubare Becher, Deckel sowie Holzrührstäbchen. Am Eröffnungstag erhält jeder Kunde den ersten Kaffee über die App-Bestellung kostenlos.
Das Prinzip von MyAppCafé ist einfach. Kunden stellen am Terminal ihren Lieblingskaffee zusammen und zahlen bargeldlos. Sofort geht der Roboter ans Werk. Ebenso leicht geht es mit der MyAppCafé-App per Smartphone oder Tablet. Damit lässt sich sogar der Milchschaum des Getränks individuell verschönern – mit Herzen, Smileys oder dem eigenen Selfie.
„Mit MyAppCafé kommen unsere Kunden in den Genuss von frisch zubereitetem Spitzenkaffee in Bio-Qualität. Gleichzeitig erleben sie, wie die Digitalisierung fortschreitet und Vorteile bringt. Lange Wartezeiten gibt es zum Beispiel nicht”, sagt Edip Özerol, Center Manager der Mercaden Böblingen.
„Die Mercaden Böblingen sind eine besonders attraktive Einkaufsadresse in der Region. Daher sind wir sehr stolz, den Besucherinnen und Besuchern des Centers unsere Neuentwicklung MyAppCafé zu präsentieren“, sagte Michael Stille, Gründer und CEO von MyAppCafé. „Unsere Roboter-Kaffeebar wird in Deutschland hergestellt und ist ein gutes Beispiel, dass Digitalisierung im Handel auch für Kunden ganz besondere Erlebnisse schaffen kann.“
Gegründet wurde das Start-Up MyAppCafé im Jahre 2019 in Pfinztal bei Karlsruhe. Das Gründerteam besteht aus den drei befreundeten Familien Stille, Yelkenkayalar und Alvarez. Die Idee wurde gemeinsam mit dem Unternehmen WMF umgesetzt.
igus offers to accompany medium-sized companies into the automation age with an online platform for low-cost automation
Cost-effective robots with components from various manufacturers that can be configured and ordered online in just a few clicks. The Cologne-based motion plastics specialist igus offers this service with an online platform rbtx.com for Low Cost Robotics. Thanks to a modular system, even small medium-sized companies will achieve automation for a few thousand euros.
A pick-and-place robot heads towards the conveyor belt, reaches for a small electrical component, turns it over and places it in a testing machine. Thousand times a day. Faster and tireless than the best worker. Such scenarios are commonplace among global players. The industry giants are steadily increasing the level of automation and thus increasing the competitive pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises. But many small companies are avoiding the topic. The investment costs are too high. Too confusing and complex is the interaction of the components of different manufacturers – including mechatronics, control systems and software.
An entry barrier that is unnecessary, says igus. The company specialises in the development of Low Cost Robotics and has therefore introduced the online platform rbtx.com at the Hannover Messe 2019 in cooperation with other manufacturers. „As far as mechanics, bearings, motors and gearboxes are concerned, we can offer competent advice to interested parties. However, it is also a fact that other companies are leaders in terms of cameras, grippers or control software,“ says Stefan Niermann, head of the newly established Low Cost Automation division. „This is precisely one of the reasons why an online platform that combines the different skills makes sense, so that the customer can quickly get the right robotics solution for them.“
Make your own robot with just a few clicks
The idea is to enable customers to assemble their own robot solution with just a few clicks of the mouse. The basic electro-mechanical structure is the „rohbot“ from igus, among them articulated-arm robots, delta robots and Cartesian robots. In the next step, the user supplements this basic structure to include individual components from various manufacturers, such as grippers, cameras, GUIs, power electronics, motors, sensors and control systems. The advantage: All components are compatible with each other.
„The concept intended for companies, start-ups, research institutes and mechanical engineering companies offers fast, customised robot solutions at low starting costs of just a few thousand euros, which will pay for itself in a short time and bring quick profits“, explains Niermann. „What we are talking about here is a low-risk way of entering the era of automation and investing in the competitiveness of tomorrow.“ Another advantage: All manufacturers would be able to continuously expand the online platform with new components. The users always have a clear access to a rapidly developing market segment.
Ready-to-connect articulated arm robots for 5,000 euros
igus has experience with Low Cost Robotics. The company has been developing automation solutions for order picking, feeding, quality assurance and assembly for many years. These include robolink DC – a modular system that allows users to assemble articulated arms with a robust and lightweight plastic housing, gearboxes and motors into a robotic arm of their own. The offer also includes robolink DCi, a pre-configured, ready-to-use automation system. It consists of a 4 or 5-axis robot and a control system that is integrated at the base of the gripper arm in a space-saving manner. The control software of the partner Commonplace Robotics is specifically designed for the robolink DCi. With it, movement sequences can be set as intuitively as on a smart phone. PC and control cabinet are not required.
In order to keep pace with the rapid development of the global automation industry, igus continuously invests in research and development work. As a result, the engineers succeeded in laying the cables inside the arm in the new generation of the DC system. A tidy and space-saving design that predestines robots for human-robot collaboration. The compact and lightweight articulated arms make comprehensive use of the advantages offered by igus motion plastics: light, lubrication-free and maintenance-free, durable and cost-effective in production. As a result, small, configurable quantities can be created just as large quantities for mechanical engineering companies and robot manufacturers. The clearance of the new arms has been further reduced as a result of the joint kinematics, an innovation that enables greater precision of the robolink. You can place parts weighing up to three kilograms with a precision of +/- 0.5 mm in a workspace with a diameter of almost 790 mm. Compared to conventional industrial-grade robot arms, which are currently not available under 15,000 euros, the new robolink DC arm (as a five-axis model) makes a significant difference at 3,400 euros. This price can be realised because many components of the articulated arm robot, such as the strain wave gear in the fifth-axis, are not made of metal, but of the so-called tribo-plastics. „These high-performance plastics not only enable cost-effective production, but also display their advantages in ongoing operation,“ says Niermann. „Robot components made of tribo-polymers do not require any lubricants and are therefore maintenance-free. In addition, they are stable, corrosion-free and lightweight at the same time.“
Modular system for development and research
Anyone who believes that they can only find turnkey solutions at igus is mistaken. Even experienced engineers will get something for their money. This is where robolink Apiro comes in – a modular system consisting of joints, profiles, gearboxes and motors of various sizes, with which designers can implement automation systems. Even very complex systems! For this purpose, igus has decoupled the motor and gearbox from each other and developed a novel worm gear made of tribo-polymers, with which, for example, simple SCARA kinematics can be implemented. The joints are attached by means of a multi-functional profile made of aluminium. Multiple joints can be connected in a series if desired. „Thanks to the modular system, there are countless combination options. There are really no limits to the imagination,“ says Niermann. „Users of the Apiro modular system therefore include not only mechanical engineers, but also training institutions and development and research departments.“
Room linear robots and delta robots as a low-cost option
The ABC of automation technology includes room linear robots and delta robots. For the low-cost sector, igus has therefore developed room linear robots in several extension levels, which are available from 1,799 euros. They consist of pre-configured linear modules and aluminium linear axes and NEMA stepper motors. With the small complete solution, loads of up to 2.5 kilograms can be transported in a workspace of 400x400x100 millimetres at a maximum speed of 0.5 metres per second. Two ZLW toothed belt axes and one GRW gear rack axis ensure precise guidance and lubrication-free operation. The room linear robots are used, among other things, in pick-and-place applications in the fields of medical technology and microelectronics.
The delta robots are also suitable for pick-and-place tasks. They are based on three ZLW toothed belt axes, NEMA motors and lubrication-free coupling joints and can position in an installation space up to 420 millimetres components weighing up to one kilogram with a precision of +/- 0.5 millimetres, at a speed of up to 60 picks per minute. At lower speeds, the system even carries up to five kilograms. The price of the robot is less than 5,000 euros. „If users have their own switch box, the costs including integration are between 10,000 and 15,000 euros,“ says Niermann. „The costs are paid off after a maximum of half a year. Afterwards, the company makes profit with automation.“
Automate simple tasks cost-effectively
The Low Cost Automation solutions from igus are also relied upon by the Langhoff family. In their small enterprise, the family breeds giant red worms, which are, for example, used by anglers, as food for animals, for hunting or as a natural fertiliser producer for the garden and greenhouses. Langhoff developed completely new machines to fully automate the feeding and watering process with lubrication-free and durable drylin room linear robots from igus. The monotonous feeding and watering steps no longer need to be done by a person full-time so that they can focus on more demanding tasks. „With the new plant, feeding and watering can be carried out around the clock, even when there is a shortage of staff. In addition, errors are reduced to an absolute minimum,“ explains Martin Langhoff, owner of Superwurm. There are already companies around the world who have identified the same market niche as the Langhoff family. However, labour-intensive worm breeding is hardly automated there. That’s what the Langhoffs want to change in their business. The plan is to double the current level of automation in the worm farm. „Small businesses need to use affordable and easy automation solutions for production and warehousing, such as those from igus, to keep up with the big ones,“ says Martin Langhoff.
State-of-the-art robot AI gives users greater control of where, when and how their robots clean
BEDFORD, Mass., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — iRobot® Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), the leader in consumer robots, is unveiling new ways to clean with the launch of iRobot Genius™ Home Intelligence – a powerful new robot platform that unlocks an expansive range of digital features and experiences for the company’s line of Wi-Fi connected products, including the Roomba® robot vacuum and Braava jet® robot mop. iRobot Genius™ gives users an unmatched level of personalization and control over their cleaning robots, accounting for their unique homes, schedules, cleaning preferences and smart home integrations.
„With an increased strategic emphasis on software and digital experiences, iRobot continues to differentiate itself by developing smart technologies that free customers of daily cleaning while they live and work at home,“ said Colin Angle, chairman and CEO of iRobot.
The interface for iRobot Genius™ is a newly redesigned iRobot Home App that takes users far beyond standard app control to give them a personalized and easy to use home cleaning command and control center. The app, which works with all Wi-Fi connected iRobot products, supports cleaning based on the user’s habits and personal preferences, enabling a smarter and more efficient customer experience. It also provides greater insight into the robot’s cleaning performance.
„Robotic intelligence must break free from the limits of autonomy and become true cleaning partners,“ said Angle. „Our robot intelligence is personalized and responsive to the user’s habits and preferences, giving them greater control over when, where and how their robots clean. iRobot Genius™ unlocks the full potential of our connected products, giving them the ability to do more now and get even smarter over time through over-the-air updates.“
Cleaning where you need it Send your robot to clean a mess right where it happens with precision Clean Zones. Using state-of-the-art robot AI, Roomba i7/i7+ and s9/s9+ robot vacuums and Braava jet m6 robot mops use machine learning to automatically detect and proactively suggest Clean Zones around specific objects, like couches, tables and kitchen counters. Users are also able to customize their Smart Map by designating their own precision Clean Zones. This allows for targeted cleaning in specific areas or around objects that attract the most common messes. Simply use the app or speak to a voice assistant device, „Roomba, clean around the couch,“ and Roomba knows right where to go.
Cleaning when you need it With iRobot Genius™, Roomba robot vacuums and Braava jet robot mops get to know your preferred cleaning routines to offer new features, like:
Event-based automations that let the robot know when the ideal time is to start or stop cleaning based on prompts that are defined by the user. Whether you’re heading off to work or going for a hike, the iRobot Home App can use location-based services like Life360, or take prompts from smart home devices, like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, to know when you’re away and begin cleaning. Likewise, the robot can stop cleaning when you return. These automations can be set up directly within the iRobot Home App, an exclusive capability for iRobot customers that is powered by iRobot Genius™ and IFTTT Connect. This means users can easily integrate iRobot Wi-Fi connected products with their other household connected devices and services, like smart thermostats and locks, without having to leave the iRobot Home App.
Recommended cleaning schedules are based on users‘ more common cleaning patterns like cleaning on Monday mornings. Roomba i7/i7+ and s9/s9+ robot vacuums and Braava jet m6 robot mops can also provide room-specific recommendations like vacuuming the living room on Friday evenings, or in the dining room and kitchen after meals.
Favorites enable users to quickly create and access their own pre-set cleaning routines. Create favorites like, „After Dinner“ that instructs the robot to clean the dining room and in front of the kitchen counter. Or „Bedtime“ to clean the playroom and living room floors. Or „Everywhere“ to clean the whole home.
Cleaning how you want it Wi-Fi connected Roomba robot vacuums and Braava jet robot mops get smarter over time, getting to know your cleaning preferences so they understand how you want your home cleaned. New intelligence also means that iRobot products can go beyond basic scheduling to unlock powerful new location-based and smart home device integrations.
New Recommended Keep Out Zones go beyond manual Keep Out Zone creation. Roomba i7/i7+ and s9/s9+ robot vacuums and Braava jet m6 robot mops can automatically learn to avoid trouble areas and recommend specific Keep Out Zones to users.
Seasonal recommendations offer personalized suggestions to automatically schedule cleanings or suggest times when your home may need more frequent cleaning, like pet-shedding or allergy seasons.
Personalized cleaning experiences powered by iRobot Genius™ Home Intelligence and the new iRobot Home App will be available to customers worldwide via a software update beginning August 25. Photos, videos and information can be found at: http://media.irobot.com/.
About iRobot Corp. iRobot®, the leading global consumer robot company, designs and builds robots that empower people to do more both inside and outside of the home. iRobot created the home robot cleaning category with the introduction of its Roomba® Robot Vacuum in 2002. Today, iRobot is a global enterprise that has sold more than 30 million robots worldwide. iRobot’s product line, including the Roomba and the Braava® family of mopping robots, feature proprietary technologies and advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping and navigation. iRobot engineers are building an ecosystem of robots and technologies to enable the smart home. For more information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com.
For iRobot Investors Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to iRobot Corporation’s expectations concerning management’s plans, objectives and strategies, including expectations regarding the timing of product and feature release and the specific capabilities of those features. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. iRobot undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by iRobot, see the disclosure contained in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Köln, 18. August 2020 – Viele Schlaganfallpatienten weltweit leiden an halbseitigen Lähmungen. Exoskelette wie Harmony von Harmonic Bionics können dabei helfen die Nervenbahnen in Armen und Schultern wiederaufzubauen. Damit sich das robotergestützte System in der Physiotherapie schnell auf die unterschiedlichen Körpergrößen anpassen lässt, vertrauen die Entwickler auf die leichte, schmier- und wartungsfreie Gleitlagertechnik von igus.
16 Millionen Menschen erleiden jedes Jahr weltweit einen Schlaganfall. Damit sich die Patienten in der Physiotherapie wieder rehabilitieren können, hat das amerikanische Unternehmen Harmonic Bionics, mit Unterstützung der National Science Foundation, ein Exoskelett speziell für die Heilung von Muskelschäden entwickelt. Der Roboter mit dem Namen Harmony entlastet das Schultergelenk, den Schultergürtel und maximiert den Bewegungsradius des Patienten. So soll das System eine natürliche und umfassende Therapie der Arme ermöglichen. Harmony setzt dafür auf eine Bilateral Sync Therapy (BST). Hierfür registriert der Roboter die gesunden Armbewegungen und synchronisiert sie an die vom Schlaganfall betroffene Seite, um die Wiederherstellung der Nervenbahnen zu unterstützen. Damit sich das Exoskelett mit dem menschlichen Körper bewegen kann, muss die Roboterachse richtig auf den Patienten eingestellt sein, denn eine falsche Justierung kann zu Verletzungen der Gelenke führen. Für eine schnelle Anpassung von Harmony griffen die Entwickler auf Linearführungen und Gleitlager des motion plastics Spezialisten igus zurück.
Schmierfrei und schnell angepasst
Schienenführungen der drylin Serie T und R, Linearlager drylin R und iglidur Gleitlager ermöglichen eine leichte Justierung des Systems an die Körpergröße, Armlänge und Schulterbreite des Patienten. Die eingesetzten Polymerlager aus dem Hochleistungswerkstoff iglidur J zeichnen sich durch ihre hohe Verschleißfestigkeit und Langlebigkeit aus. Durch den Verzicht auf externe Schmiermittel sind die Lager komplett wartungsfrei, zudem sauber und hygienisch und damit optimal für die Medizintechnik geeignet. Alle Bauteile bestehen aus leichten Materialen wie Kunststoff und Aluminium. Das Design ist so kompakt, dass es sich in das schlanke Design des Roboters integrieren lässt. „Dank des Einsatzes der igus Polymerlagertechnik kann das Exoskelett jetzt innerhalb von Sekunden auf den Patienten angepasst werden,“ zeigt sich Rohit John Varghese, Leiter Forschung & Entwicklung bei Harmonic Bionics begeistert.
Die igus GmbH ist ein weltweit führender Hersteller von Energiekettensystemen und Polymer-Gleitlagern. Das familiengeführte Unternehmen mit Sitz in Köln ist in 35 Ländern vertreten und beschäftigt weltweit 4.150 Mitarbeiter. 2019 erwirtschaftete igus mit motion plastics, Kunststoffkomponenten für bewegte Anwendungen, einen Umsatz von 764 Millionen Euro. igus betreibt die größten Testlabore und Fabriken in seiner Branche, um dem Kunden innovative auf ihn zugeschnittene Produkte und Lösungen in kürzester Zeit anzubieten.
Makers can create custom apps and firmware without coding through a simple graphic UI and control any wireless device through a central server within the Quantum IoT Platform.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 25, 2020 (Newswire.com) – Frustrated with Arduino’s limitations and a desire to wirelessly automate devices in the home, Michael Barnick, 58, founded Quantum Integration to bring a new level of integration and IoT to home automation enthusiasts. With his background in computer engineering, including management at Apple Computer, and as an experienced tech startup entrepreneur, he decided to change the industry and finally making it easy for electronics hobbyists to make and manage their very own IoT networks.
“Single-use IoT devices like ‘Nest’ are no longer enough for those wanting more control. The Quantum IoT platform is unique in that it allows easy integration of any number and type of device. It’s plug-and-play from beginning to end and designed for novices and experts alike,“ said Mr. Barnick. “It is now easier than ever to build custom automation projects from using remote temperature sensors, lighting control, security systems, entire high-end home automation, and even robots. The only limit is your imagination!”
Quantum Integration is a California-based corporation founded in 2017, specializing in IoT platforms and devices. Their products include servers, wireless IoT devices and their own proprietary operating system.
They also offer a Starter Bundle that includes a Q-Server and two Builder Bases for only $249, which provides a complete IoT platform, enabling anyone to build sophisticated and purposeful projects.
Hardware products will be available for a discounted purchase price on Kickstarter, starting mid-July 2020, and will later be available from online resellers or directly at quantumintegrate.com, beginning mid-August 2020.
“Using the Quantum IoT Platform, I was able to do in minutes what would have taken days on Arduino. If you’re an electronics hobbyist or enthusiast with a love for wireless devices, the Quantum IoT Platform is for you!” said Joeran Kinzel, Co-Founder.
Quantum Integration delivers a user-friendly IoT platform that empowers electronics enthusiasts and hobbyists to build high tech projects from a simple button to home automation and robots. Leveraging the combination of multiple Q-Client Builder Bases, Q-Servers and a straightforward developer environment, users can write apps and create custom firmware without coding. Quantum Integration provides a superior experience in the home. The company’s platform eliminates the barriers prohibiting adoption of home automation, making it the new standard for convenience. The key to accomplishing this is the company’s unique platform designed specifically for a wide range of low-cost Bluetooth devices. Quantum Integration also provides a graphic based development environment that allows fast and easy control of any custom device. Along with a smart plug-and-play feature, users can add and use devices on the network in a matter of seconds, at a price point and scalability unmatched by any of the competitions in the sphere.
Omron Automation Americas, a global leader in mobile robotics and other advanced industrial automation solutions, recently launched the HD-1500 mobile robot that can handle bulky objects weighing up to 1500kg. This addition to Omron’s robotics portfolio comes after the LD-250 mobile robot launch and further expands manufacturers’ options for autonomous material transport.
Manufacturers are facing a growing need to automate their material handling operations due to an industrial demand for increased productivity and flexibility coinciding with challenges in finding and properly utilizing skilled workers. Social distancing requirements implemented in response to the COVID-19 epidemic further complicate the difficulty of relying on the manual completion of these types of tasks. Mobile robots help fast-paced manufacturing environments maintain speed and flexibility amid these challenges.
The robots automatically calculate the best route for material transportation while navigating safely around people and obstacles without requiring magnetic floor tapes or other guides. This makes them an effective solution for companies seeking to improve flexibility and maximize floor layout options. Omron’s Fleet Manager software controls up to 100 mobile robots of different sizes, configurations and payload capacities, so customers can use the HD-1500 together with the LD-60, LD-90 and LD-250 robots under one system.
The HD-1500’s powerful structure makes it well-suited for industries in which transporting heavy items like car chassis and voluminous pallets is required. By handling some of the transport tasks that would otherwise require a forklift, the new robots also help minimize sources of risk for employees, since forklifts can lead to serious accidents. The HD-1500 offers 360° safety coverage to promote a collaborative and safe working space, and the stop position accuracy of the Cell Alignment Positioning System (CAPS) has also been improved. It even has an onboard, user-accessible Omron PLC.
Highlights of the HD-1500 include:
Higher payload and sturdier structure. The HD-1500 addresses the market need to move bulky items and pallet-size payloads in manufacturing facilities and reduce forklift usage.
Support for highly mixed fleets. Using Omron’s Fleet Manager, customers can manage diverse fleets up to 100 mobile robots, including the HD-1500.
Faster ROI. As the need for greater efficiency in the workforce increases, the HD-1500 helps automate complex and dangerous tasks so that workers can do more with less equipment.
An easy-to-customize solution. The HD-1500 is easy to deploy, so customers can easily add it to their fleets without worrying about safety, compatibility, or performance.
Additional features include:
Battery charges in 36 minutes to realize greater efficiency and less downtime
360° safety scanning lasers used for simultaneous localization and safety functionality
Superior navigation using adaptive safety zones with LiDAR technology
Improved CAPS technology to improve docking accuracy and repeatability
Onboard, user-accessible Omron PLC
Industry professionals interested in learning more about the HD-1500 are encouraged to visit the product page on the Omron website by clicking here.
About Omron Automation Omron Automation is an industrial automation partner that creates, sells and services fully integrated automation solutions that include sensing, control, safety, vision, motion, robotics and more. Established in 1933 and currently headed by President Yoshihito Yamada, Omron’s about 30,000 employees help businesses solve problems with creativity in more than 110 countries. Learn more at automation.omron.com.
Nabot is a programmable robot that can autonomously perform tasks such as sanitizing packages, mopping the floor, vacuuming, collecting small objects, and playing with pets. Nabot is both the robot to play with and a tool to explore the world of AI and coding. Nabot was previously marketed as a remote control robot but we upgraded it with artificial intelligence and a coding interface and turned it into a smart and autonomous robot. Nabot can introduce children to the coding concepts and make them interested in STEM fields. It can also be a great assistive technology for the disabled and elderly and help them with activities of daily living. That has been the topic of Ph.D. research of the founders.
How does it work?
Nabot’s coding interface consists of blocks, which users will drag, drop, and attach them together to write a code for Nabot. These coding blocks enable the user to move the robot forward/backward, rotate the robot left/right, move each of the joints individually or all together, create custom categories of objects and write code for when the robot detects an object from a certain category, mark/assign objects to one of these custom categories, create variables and use them in various math equations, and other basic programming logic blocks such as if, else, repeat, loop, while. There is also a more advanced Python API for hackers to program complicated and useful tasks.
User’s privacy is our priority. Nabot does not send or store any information outside the user’s phone. All the processing is done on the phone and the application doesn’t even need an internet connection (except for logging in).
About Ximpatico
We are Ximpatico, a venture-backed startup based in the US with offices in San Jose, CA and Orlando, FL. Founders are a couple of Ph.D. graduates in computer science and engineering behind the state-of-the-art in AI and robotics. We developed a cutting-edge AI technology back in 2016 in our research lab.
